Moeen Ali believes England are now in pole position in the first Ashes Test after a late strike by Ben Stokes three overs from the close helped reduce Australia to 264 for five on the second day in Cardiff.
The all-rounder’s removal of Adam Voges for 31 means the tourists head into day three still trailing by 166 runs. Moeen had been the best bowler, claiming the key wickets of the world No1 batsman, Steve Smith, for 33 and the Australia captain, Michael Clarke, on 31 for figures of two for 67, but was keen to credit his team-mate.
“That last wicket put us into the pole position,” said Moeen, whose impressive return with the ball followed an earlier 77 with the bat from No8 as England reached 430 all out. “A couple of wickets early and with the new ball [in 10 overs], hopefully we can get these guys out cheaply.”
Australia’s opener Chris Rogers earlier fell five runs short of a century – a record seventh successive Test score of 50-plus without registering three figures – but admitted England are now in control of the match. And he warned the pitch at the Swalec Stadium could yet deteriorate, making the need for a first-innings lead imperative.
“They’re probably in a happier position at the moment,” said the 37-year-old Rogers, playing in his final series before retirement. “I think the wicket will possibly deteriorate so it’ll be hard work for us, particularly at the back end. We have to work hard on our runs and maybe get a lead, but that’ll be hard for us.
“For us to get out how we did is going to hurt when we had the opportunity to make it count today,” he added. “The fact that I got a 90 and there were three 30s, the ways we got out, that’ll hurt us. We’re better than that. We can’t concede a big deficit or else it’s a big uphill battle for us. We have to get close and get to a position where we can put England under pressure.”
The key moment of the day, prior to Stokes’ late intervention, was the removal of the dangerman Smith by Moeen, who saw the right-hander dance down the pitch and drag the ball down, teasing a false shot to the England captain, Alastair Cook, at short mid-on.
“He kept using his feet at me so I went one-day mode at his hip and he got into a bit of a mess,” said Moeen, who said wickets and runs give him equal pleasure. “I’m obviously happy with getting him out as he’s a very good player of spin and very aggressive. I’m always telling myself I’m one ball from getting a wicket. I’m not too fussed about what he’s done before, I’m just trying to take wickets.”
Asked about his own place in the team, which was debated prior to the Test when the leg-spinner Adil Rashid was named in the squad, Moeen replied: “I’d not thought about it at all. I just turn up and practise hard and prepare as well as I can. If selected I’m very happy and if not selectedI’m happy for whoever gets picked. I just prepare myself for every game and I’m not that fussed.”
Cook had earlier spent 40 minutes off the field in the afternoon session after a sickening blow to the groin when fielding at slip. “He was a little bit worried at first but he’s OK now,” said Moeen. Rogers, who was batting at the time, said: “I was trying not to laugh. It’s an unfortunate injury but when I saw Joe Root laughing I knew he was OK. Apparently it was a sickening sound.”
Rogers was also quick to defend his team-mate Voges after he appeared to hold a catch at short-leg off Stuart Broad only for the third umpire to rule it had touched the ground. Rogers, who insisted Voges was unsure it was clean, was also keen to praise the fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who was able to bowl despite reporting ankle soreness on the first day, recording figures of five for 114 as the English tail wagged early on to the tune of 87 runs.
“I think it was a great effort to come out today and bowl again and get a five-for,” added Rogers, who claimed the injury would be manageable through the series. “The fact he came back out and pushed through it speaks volumes for me.”
